Steve Recommends – THE Tools for Running an Internet Business

I’m not going to lie to you. It’s not easy to generate a full-time Internet income. You need to work hard and invest in some tools.

On this page, I’ve included a list of what you’ll need to run a successful business. Some tools are free. Others require a monetary investment.

Side Note: Some of these are affiliate links. That means I’ll make money if you decide to buy. But that doesn’t change my opinion. I’ve personally used everything I’ve listed on this page. And I’ve only included the tools I think will help you!

Anyway, here are the tools I’ve used to make a full-time income online:

Authority Internet Business Tools

Since 2006, I’ve earned a full-time income as an authority business owner. This is the online model I recommend to most readers. Why? Because the best way to achieve long-term success is to focus on a single business.

Here are the tools I recommend:

Web Hosting with Host Gator: This site (SteveScottSite.com) and DevelopGoodHabits.com are run on the Host Gator platform. This company offers around-the-clock support. That means they’re always there to help out with any problem you might have.

To learn how to set up a website, read this free PDF which walks you through the process (“Right Click” to Download)

Aweber: You must build a list. Most Internet entrepreneurs fail because they don’t design their business around list-building. Aweber is the #1 email solution used by the top online professionals. I’ve used this company since 2005 and have been happy with them the entire time.

Optimize Press: The best way to build a list is to offer a free report; which is offered on what’s called a “squeeze page.” Many beginner Internet marketers have trouble setting up squeeze pages. The reason I recommend Optimize Press is because it offers a variety of templates and styles, which you can create even if you don’t have computer experience.

Google Analytics: It’s important to know how people find your blog. Plus you want to know what they’re doing while on your site. Google Analytics gives provides very detailed information about your web traffic. I think every marketer should use this free tool.

Blogging Tools

Blogging is not the easiest way to make money online. The trick is to offer great content; while focusing on building a list. Here are a few tools to help you do that:

Tweet Adder: This is the software program I’ve used to grow my Twitter list to around 20,000 followers. While the rules have changed in the last year about “automatic” tools, this is still a great program for systematizing your account.

Point Blank SEO: Since the Google Panda and Penguin updates, it has become extremely important to build quality, non-spammy backlinks. This is one of the few courses that teaches a step-by-step SEO strategy without recommending techniques that will get you penalized.

The Thesis Theme: I use the Thesis theme on this site. Thesis provides quality search engine optimization, fast page load speed, and an easy-to-customize interface. Also, it provides a very clean design which ensures maximum readability of my content.

Snag It: This is the graphics tool I use to grab screenshots and draw arrows. I’ve found the interface to be extremely intuitive. Snag It is a great tool if you do a lot of screenshot manipulations.

iStockPhoto: This is where I get the majority of my graphics and photos for this site. What I like about iStockPhoto is the images don’t cost an arm and a leg. Most can be purchased for about $2. It’s great for anyone who is budget conscious.

Authority Business Products

There’s one thing to understand about running an authority Internet business–you need to constantly adapt and evolve your techniques. For instance, the techniques I used in 2006 are not similiar to what what I’m doing in 2013. To that end, it’s important to focus on what’s currently working. Right now, I follow two business models that have been successful in the past few years:

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I sometimes use affiliate links on SteveScottSite.com. This means if you decide to make a purchase, I will get a sales commission. But that doesn't mean my opinion is for sale. EVERY affiliate link on this site are to products that I've used and found useful. Please do your own research before making any purchase online.